winters



Patented Mar. I4, i899.

No. 62I,008.

F. V. WINTERS.

AUTOMATIC HEAT REGULATING DEVICE.

(Application led Jan. 14, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK V. WINTERS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF- TO LOUISA GRUND AND HERMON GRUND, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No'. 621,008, dated March 14, 1899; Application filed January 14, 1898. Serial No. 666,692. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, FREDERICK V. WINTERS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city of New York, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Heat-Regulatin g Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has relation to improvements in automatic heat-regulating devices of that kind adapted to be interposed between an aircompressing pump and the valves of a heating system, such as radiator-valves, and operatively connected to or associated with a controlling-thermostat5V and the object is to provide a device of the kind named and for the purposes intended which is simple, efficient, certain in action, and durable in construction.

The invention is hereinafter fully specified and described and the novelty claimed particularly pointed out and distinguished in the claims, and I have fully and clearly illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, wherein-*- Figure 1 is a front View in elevation showing the diaphragm or motor in normal depressed or collapsed condition, the valve-le'- ver at its lower position, and the thermostatvalve of the motor open. Fig. 2 is a side view of the device in vertical section on the line y Q/ of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section lin line x of Fig. 1, showing the respective inlet and outlet air-passages,tl1e stop-valve,

and means for securing-the air-pipes in the frame. Fig. 4 is a detail side view of the valve-operating lever mechanism on larger scale than shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the pipe-coupling frame. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the valve and slotted valve-rod in the upper portion of the device.

A designates a suitable metal frame of such size and dimensions as may be requisite to adapt it to the purposes intended and formed with laterally-extended ears 1 l, adjacent to the top of the frame and having a similar ear 2 at the bottom, through which fasteningscrews are projected, as indicated, to fasten and hold the device in vertical position against a vertical or plane surface. From a suitable point in the side bars of the frame are projected horizontally-disposed arms 3 3, united by an integral plate 4, forming the rigid concave bottom of the motor, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. One of the vertical side bars of the frame, as 5, is made hollow, serving as a conduit or pipe to conveyT the compressed air from the pum p-pipe to the motor-chamber, the air passing through a lateral port 6 at thebase of the hollow portion of the column or side bar 5. The upper end of the side bar 5 is closed by a threaded plug 7, adjacent to the base of which is a port 8 in the wall of the side bar 5 and registering with a port in the air-supply branch of the coupling-frame. To regulate the flow of the airsupply through the tube or pipe 5, an adjusting-screw 9 is projected across the opening to be adj ustably moved therein and held in adjusted position by a threaded plug 10, the end of which iits tight against the outer end or head of the adjusting-screw 9', as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Through the head or upper portion of the frame are formed openings 0 t', (shown in Fig. 3,) in which the front branches of the coupling-frame are iitted and secured. This coupling-frame is designated by the letter B, and

consists of a metal cross-bar 11, in which are fitted or made integral therewith two coupling bars or pieces 12 13, the former being locked to the frame by a fastening-nut 14, engaging'on the projecting threaded end of the coupling-bar, and the latter is held in the frame by a fastening-screw 15, engaging in a threaded socket, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. To the coupling-bars 12 13 are suitably connected the inlet-pipe I, leading from the air-pump, (not shown,) and the outlet-pipe O, which leads down to the valve (not shown) to be operated by the pressure of the air in a well-known manner. In the end of the coupling-bar 12 is formed a recess 16, in which a filtering substance is placed, as indicated, to clean the air being forced up from the pump. In the coupling-bar 12 is formed a central longitudinal duct or port 17 and oppositely-directed ducts or ports 18 19, the former of which opens into the port 8 in the pipe 5 to conduct the air to the motor, and the latter, 19, registers with a port or duct 20, opening into a recess or chamber 21, formed in the head of the frame and which recess or chamber is covered and sealed by the cross-bar of the coupling-frame. In the coupling-bar l2 is fitted a threaded plug ct, which is in the path of the respective ports appearing therein and opens and closes the same, as indicatedin the drawings. In the head of the frame is formed a chamber 22, extending from the front of the frame and ending adjacent to the recess or chamber 21, and in the wall or dividing-metal between the chambers 21 22 is formed a valve-seat 23, opened and closed by the valve disposed in the chamber 22, as hereinafter specified. From the base of the chamber 22 leads a duct or port 24, opening into a port 25, leading into the outlet-pipe O to conduct the air to the valve to be operated.

The motor-chamber 4 is covered by an elastic or yielding material 26, held in position by a circular frame or ring 27, fastened to the bottom plate of the motor, as shown in the drawings.

To the face of the frame are secured two supports 28 29, in the free ends of which is fulcrumed a bellcrank lever 30,l the short arm of which is pivotally connected to the valve-stem 31, projecting into the chamber 22 and carrying in the inner end a conical valve 32, which iits in the valve-seat 23 and opens and closes the port therein. The stem of the valve is supported in and slides in a way formed in a plug b, which closes the outer end of the chamber 22, and in the stem of the valve is formed a longitudinally-arranged slot c, so placed in the stem that when the stein is forced inward and the valve is in its seat the inner end of the slot opens into the chamber 22 and the outer end of the slot extends outward beyond the face of the plug b, thus affording an escape for the air back through the valve-pipe O, through the said slot, into the room, and the pressure of the air on the radiator-valve is thus released, so that this said valve may be operated by the steam in the radiator-pipe. lVhen the valve-stem is pulled outward to its limit, the inner end of the slot is inclosed in the way in the plug and the course of the air is normal through the respective ducts or ports. In the long arm of the bell-crank lever 30, at about the middle thereof, is formed a triangular hole 33, in which the pin of a stirrup 34 engages to move the bell-crank lever up and down. The lower end of the stem of the stirrup is provided with a threaded socket, in which engages the threaded upper end of a rod 35, extending down through an aperture in an arm 36, projectin g from the frame, and on the lower end of the rod 35 is secured or formed a shoe 37, which rests on the surface of the diaphragm of the motor. On the rod 35, between the arm 3G and the shoe 37, is arranged an eX- pansible spiral spring 38, the force of which tends to draw the lever 30 down when pushed upward by the force of the motor and to return the lever to its normal or lower position when the motor is collapsed. That part of the rod 35 extending above the arm 3G is screw threaded, as shown, and arranged thereon in a nut fa, so that by adjusting this nut on the rod the downward movement of the rod and with it the corresponding movement of the bell-crank lever will be regulated and determined by the impact of the nut on the arm 36. The hole 33 is disposed in the lever with one of its sides lying horizontal and the other two with the point central to the upper line, in order that the stirrup-pin shall be free to have proper play to perform its functions in the operation of moving the lever without catching in the operation. In the outer end of the bell-crank lever is secured a cross-bar 39, to each end of which is pivotally hung a tumbler 40, triangular at its pivotal end and formed with suitable connecting means at its other end, as a slot, in which the free ends of springs 41 41 are secured, the other ends ofthe springs being suitably connected to the frame, as indicated. Projected rigidly from the arms 28 29 are two horizontal stop-bars 42 42, having outwardly-curved pieces 43 on their outer ends, which are in the path of the points of the triangular portions of the tumblers in the movements of the bellcrank lever, so that when the lever is moved upward the point of the tumblers will engage with the lower limb of the curved pieces 43 and the lower arm of the tumblers will be swung outward and upward against the force of the springs 33 until the d cad-point is over come, when the force ofthe springs will move or swing the tumblers inward and the springs Will carry the lever into its upward limit and hold it there, and then when the motor-chamber is emptied of air and the force of the spring 3S overcomes the force of the springs 33 and pulls the lever down the tumblers will be reversed in the movement, engage the circular pieces of the rods 42, and when the deadpoint is passed the force of the springs 41 will draw the lever down and hold it in such position.

From the rigid bottom of the motor is projected a vent-piece 44, terminating in a conical end, which engages in a valve seat or socket 45 on the face of a spring thermostatic bar 46, so that when the contraction or expans'ion of the thermostatic bar opens or closes the vent in the motor the motor will be collapsed or inflated and the valve mechanism correspondingly opened or closed. The base of the thermostatic bar may be curved upward, as shown, and rigidly secured to a pivotally-supportin g bracket 47, and the tension of the thermostat-bar is adjusted by means of an outwardly-pressing spring 4 8 and an inwardly-adjusting screw 49, carrying a pointer 50, traveling over a graduated dial 51. Of course any other suitable thermostatic appliance may be used in place of that shown and IOO IIO

described, the purpose being accomplished by the yielding thermostatic contact of the bar with the relief-port of the motor-chamber.

The use and operation of the device are as follows: The device is secured in the place and to such surface as may be appropriate, the coupling-frame is secured in its seat in the frame, and the inlet and outlet pipes arranged and secured to the coupling-frame. The adjusting plug or screw in the inlet branch of the coupling-frame is so arranged or adjusted as to open the ports controlled by it and the conical valve controlling the passage to the outlet-pipe to the radiator or other valve standing open and the thermostatic bar standing away from or closing the escape-port of the motor, as may be, when the following resulting effects upon the mechanism take place in the course of the variations of the temperature acting on the metals of the thermostat: The air is forced up through the inlet-pipe I through the respective ports into the outlet or valve-controlling pipe O and acts to hold the valve to be controlled shut, and at the same time the pumped air has access to the motor-chamber through the duct or pipe 5, the passage being controlled by the adjusting-screw or by valve 9 and the air discharging through the port in the bottom of the motor. So long as the temperature of the apartment is equable this condition of the mechanism is maintained; but when the temperature falls below the degree to which the thermostat-valve is set then the contraction of the thermostat moves the valveseat to close the open end of the escape-port of the motor and the motor begins to inflate, pushing the lever-rod upward against the force of the spring 38 and moving the valvestem with the valve 32 to close the port 23, thus stopping the flow of air into the outletpipe O,`resulting in relieving the pressure on the steam-valve, which opens and permits the increased steam to flow through the heater. Now when the temperature rises beyond the degree desired the thermostat is expanded and moves away from the escape-port in the motor, which permits the diaphragm of the motor to be moved down by the force of the spring 3S, which carries with it the bell-crank lever and opens the valve in the head of the frame. The springs 4l in these operations perform their function by holding the bellcrank lever in its respective lower and upper positions and in carrying it over the deadpoints of its travel.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a heat-regulating device, a holdingframe formed with seats therethrough, a central chamber, and ports or ducts leading from the seats to the said chamber, a couplingframe formed with stems to nt in said seats, the said stemshaving ports communicating with those in the holding-frame and having rearward extensions, an inlet and outlet pipe connected to said rearward extensions,a valve in the central chamber to close the ports opening therein and having a stem formed with a slot extending beyond the face of the holding-frame, a bell-crank lever to operate the valve, an inllatable motor having communication with the inlet stem or branch of the couplingframe,a nd formed with an air-escape port, a spring-controlled rod connecting the motor and the bell-crank lever, and a thermostat to open and close the said air-escape port substantially as described.v

2. In a heat-regulating device, a holdingframe formed with parallel seats therethrough to receive and hold the stems of a couplingframe, a recess in the rear of the frame, a central chamber, and a valve port and seat between the recess and the chamber, and having a port leading from one of the seats into the recess and a port leading from the central chamber to the other seat, a couplingframe having a cross-bar to cover and seal the recess in the holding-frame and formed with stems to fit in the seats of the holdingframe, the said stems having ports registering with vthose in the holding-frame and having rearward extensions, an inlet and outlet pipe connected to said rearward extensions,

a valve, in the central chamber to close the valve-port, and having a stem formed with a y slot extending beyond the face of the holding-frame, a bell-crank lever to operate the valve, an inatable motor having communication with the inlet-stem of the couplingframe and formed with an air-escape port, a

spring-controlled rod connecting the motor and the bell-crank lever, and a thermostat to open and close the said air-escape port, substantially as described.

ICO

3. In a heat-regulating device, a suitable supporting-frame, an inlet-pipe and an outlet-pipe communicating with each other, a valve, interposed in the communication, having a slotted stem projecting beyond the face of the supporting-frame, a bell-crank lever having its inner and shorter arm connected to the outer and projecting end of the stem of the valve, a cross-bar secured in the outer end of the bell-crank lever, tumblers pivotally supported at the ends of the cross-bar, springs connected to the free ends of the tumblers to hold the lever in its upper and lower positions, tripping means in the path of the tumblers, an inflatable motor having communication with the inlet-pipe and having an airescape port, a rod between the motor and the lever and connected to the latter, a spring to pull the rod and lever down,vand a thermostat to open and close the air-escape port in the motor, substantially as described.

I 4. In a heat-regulating device a suitable supporting-frame, an inlet-pipe and an outlet-pipe communicating with each other, la valve interposed in the communication, having a slotted stem'projecting beyond the face of the frame, a bell-crank lever having its inner and shorter arm connected to the outer and projecting end of the valve-stem, a bar IIO having its upper end connected to the bellcrank lever and its lower end formed with a foot or disk to set on the inflatable motor, a spring to draw the bar down, an inflatable motor having communication with the inletpipe and having an air-escape port, and a thermostat to open and close the air-escape port in the motor, substantially as described.

5. A heat-regulating device comprising a supporting-frame formed with transverselyarranged Ways or seats in its upper portion having a central chamber 22 and ducts leading therefrom to said Ways, a detachable plug to close the outer end of said chamber formed with a central aperture,- a valve to close the duct between said ways having a slotted stem slidingly arranged in the aperture of the said plug, a coupling-frame fitted and secured in said ways and having ports communicating with the ports in the ways, inlet and outlet pipes secured to the coupling-frame, a bellcrank lever, fulcrumed on the frame, having its shorter arm connected tothe stem of the Valve, a cross-bar in the free or outer end of the lever, tumblers on the ends of the crossbar, springs connected to the'free ends of the tumblers, trips in the path of the tumblers, a motor having a collapsible chamber to operate the lever in the upward movement, and provided with a thermostatically-controlled escape for the motor-chamber, and a spring to draw the lever down, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK V. VVlNTERS,

Witnesses: t

A. G. IIEYLMUN, C. G. IIEYLMUN. 

